Frankie (She/Her)

Identity exploration, trauma, anxiety, relationships, perfectionism

I am part of the LGBTQ+ community and that has formed and shaped how I move about, process, and experience life. I am also from a small conservative town and processed my way away from that form of thinking into a more broad scope. I see things in a wider sense because of this. I was also raised in the church and have deconstructed and reconstructed my faith, which makes me passionate about people who experience church hurt and trauma. I am also neurodivergent and have lived my life differently due to that, so I am passionate about out those in this community. I value differences and how those differences in others make the world a more colorful and brighter place.

I value connection in times of hurting. Whether that be to a loved one, a cherished pet, to nature, to a higher power, or to self. In my times of hurting I lean heavily into my community, my own therapist, and I turn inward to the light I see within myself. In my experience, isolation breeds my hurt, pain, and suffering. The company of someone who cares deeply about you can be so powerful and healing. I try to offer a nonjudgmental safe space where you feel you can show up however you are in the moment and that's okay.

I hope to create an atmosphere of calmness, safety, and appreciation for showing up as you are. I show up to the therapy space with a sense of grounded calmness. I hope my presence in therapy is that of a solid support that is based in understanding. I like to build a relationship in therapy that is based in mutual respect and is formed around a solid base of communication.

I have learned that my clients are resilient and know what they need before they realize they know what they need. I've learned that my clients have all the knowledge they need and I just help them work it all out. I'm here to help you, but you are doing all the hard work yourself.

I've experienced great relational trauma in my life and I know how relationships can both be healing and traumatizing. I strongly believe in the power of a good community. There is power in community. Finding the right people to support you and love you the way that you are and to help you in your healing journey is so important and can be one of the most healing things. Being in community with someone that is capable of seeing you at your most raw form and still be there to hold your hand is beautiful work.

I stay grounded by going on daily walks with my eight year old rescue dog Maggie. I like to move my body and lift heavy things to stay regulated. Nature is heavily grounding for me, so I like to go for hikes, kayak, or camp in the woods. I also practice meditation and find my center through mindfully walking through life and sitting on a cushion. I find peace and joy sitting on the couch watching silly movies with my partner or having dinner with my friends. I find joy in community and noticing just how human we all are and how flawed and yet how whole we are as people on this earth.

Healing isn't a one and done thing. Healing is on going and is not linear. It is hard work and it isn't meant to always be pretty. Healing is looking under all the rocks and seeing what traumas, hurts, imperfections, and insecurities there are and looking right at them and saying "I'm only human and how do I move forward with all these things". We need to look at ourselves with more compassion and knowing that being human is to be flawed. It's okay to show up just as you are and know that this version of you is okay.

I hope that people carry with them the sense that they are competent and strong individuals who are resilient and capable of doing hard things.

I find hope in connection. I find hope in human nature. I find hope in the people sitting across from me doing difficult work to show up for themselves in the most vulnerable way.

I feel like my view of rest is different than most. I like to partake in active rest. My rest looks like going for a long walk without any music and just listening to the things around me. It looks like going to my meditation center and meditating with other people. My view of rest is doing whatever activity fills your cup. Sometimes that looks like a movie marathon on the couch on a random Sunday. Sometimes that looks like going for a walk with a friend. Sometimes that looks like doing yoga in my living room. My version of rest looks different every day, but most days it looks like taking my dog on a long walk around my neighborhood.